Best 5 Ethiopian Spice Mix Berbere Recipes

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Berbere is a vibrant and flavorful Ethiopian spice mix that adds a distinct depth and warmth to various dishes. Hailing from the culinary traditions of the Horn of Africa, this aromatic blend captures the essence of Ethiopian cuisine with its rich history and diverse spices. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting to explore new flavors, this detailed exploration of berbere will guide you through its origins, essential ingredients, and the culinary magic it brings to Ethiopian and international recipes. Discover the secrets behind this captivating spice mix and learn how to incorporate its unique flavor profile into your own cooking adventures.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

BERBERE (ETHIOPIAN SPICE BLEND)



Berbere (Ethiopian Spice Blend) image

Central to Ethiopian cuisine, berbere is a spice blend that is fiery hot and bursting with flavor!

Provided by Kimberly Killebrew

Categories     condiment     Seasoning

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 teaspoons coriander seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
2 whole allspice berries
Seeds of 4 green cardamom pods
4 cloves
5 dried red chilies (, seeds and membranes removed and broken into small pieces (see Note))
3 tablespoons sweet paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon turmeric

Steps:

  • In a heavy skillet over high heat, toast the whole spices (seeds) and chilies, shaking the pan regularly to prevent scorching, until very fragrant, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool completely.
  • Grind the cooled spices in a spice or coffee grinder. Add all remaining ground spices and salt and grind everything together.
  • Store in an airtight container in a dark place.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 teaspoon, Calories 11 kcal, Carbohydrate 2 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 1 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 127 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g

BERBERE SPICE MIX (ETHIOPIAN)



Berbere Spice Mix (Ethiopian) image

Here is another version of the distinctive Ethiopian spice mix that flavors many of their dishes. Use it to season grilled fish, poultry or meat during cooking, or sprinkle it on meat or vegetable dishes at the table. I found this recipe in Homemakers magazine.

Provided by Dreamer in Ontario

Categories     Ethiopian

Time 5m

Yield 1/3 cup

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 teaspoons pure chile powder (ground dried red hot peppers) or 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
5 teaspoons sweet paprika
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
3/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
3/8 teaspoon ground fenugreek
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Steps:

  • Combine and whisk together all ingredients.
  • Store in airtight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 340.7, Fat 16.1, SaturatedFat 3, Sodium 22024.7, Carbohydrate 62, Fiber 39.8, Sugar 8.8, Protein 15.9

BERBERE (ETHIOPIAN SPICE)



Berbere (Ethiopian Spice) image

For those of you who have difficulty locating berbere in your local grocery store, this recipe is a good substitute that is easy to make. Note that it is quite spicy, so use to taste. This spice combination is used in many Ethiopian dishes including doro wat, an Ethiopian chicken dish.

Provided by Twin Cities

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     African

Time 10m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup red chili powder
½ cup paprika
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon ground fenugreek
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Steps:

  • Mix chili powder, paprika, salt, fenugreek, ginger, onion powder, coriander, cardamom, garlic powder, cloves, and cinnamon together in a bowl.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 25.2 calories, Carbohydrate 4.6 g, Fat 1.2 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 1.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.2 g, Sodium 345.2 mg, Sugar 0.7 g

ETHIOPIAN SPICE MIX (BERBERE)



Ethiopian Spice Mix (Berbere) image

Berbere is a chile and spice blend used to season many Ethiopian dishes. Because authentic berbere can be hard to find, we developed our own recipe. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 15 min

Categories     Quick & Easy     Spice     Gourmet

Yield Makes about 1 cup

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/2 teaspoon fenugreek
1/2 cup ground dried New Mexico chiles
1/4 cup paprika
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

Steps:

  • Finely grind fenugreek seeds in an electric coffee/spice grinder. Stir together with remaining ingredients until combined well.

BERBERE



Berbere image

This is from the Congo Cookbook and states: Berbere is an Ethiopian spice mixture that is the flavoring foundation of Ethiopian cuisine, a basic ingredient in Dabo Kolo, Doro Wat, and many other dishes. A milder berbere can be made by substituting paprika for some or most of the red pepper. Berbere is sometimes made as a dry spice mix, and is sometimes made with oil or water to form a paste. Starting with whole spices, the various nuts and seeds and dried red chile peppers, then pan-roasting, grinding, and mixing them will produce the most authentic berbere. However, perfectly satisfactory results can be obtained using already ground or powdered spices. Red wine seems to be a non-Ethiopian addition, but it works well. Yield and prep time is estimated.

Provided by Chabear01

Categories     Sauces

Time 30m

Yield 1/2 cup

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander (optional)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
1 teaspoon ground fenugreek
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
4 -6 tablespoons of a combination ground cayenne pepper (red pepper, dried chile peppers, or red pepper flakes) or 4 -6 tablespoons paprika (red pepper, dried chile peppers, or red pepper flakes)
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh ginger (peeled and grated)
2 tablespoons onions (optional) or 2 tablespoons shallots, finely chopped, omit if making dry berbere (optional)
1 teaspoon garlic, minced, use dried garlic if making dry berbere (optional)
1/4 cup water (omit if making dry berbere) or 1/4 cup red wine (omit if making dry berbere)

Steps:

  • In a heavy skillet over medium heat, toast the dried spices for a few minutes - stirring or shaking the skillet continuously to avoid scorching.
  • Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  • If making dry berbere powder: grind the mixture in a spice grinder or blender, or use a mortar and pestle.
  • Store the berbere powder in a tightly-sealed container.
  • If making a berbere paste: combine the toasted spices with the fresh ginger, onions or shallots, garlic, and oil (water, or wine).
  • Grind together in a blender or with a mortar and pestle.
  • Store the berbere paste in a tightly-sealed container.

Tips:

  • Choose high-quality spices: The quality of your spices will greatly impact the flavor of your berbere. Look for spices that are fresh, fragrant, and free of any debris.
  • Toast your spices before grinding: Toasting your spices before grinding will help to release their flavor and aroma. You can toast your spices in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Grind your spices finely: The finer you grind your spices, the better they will blend together and the more evenly they will distribute their flavor. You can use a spice grinder, a mortar and pestle, or a coffee grinder to grind your spices.
  • Store your berbere in an airtight container: Berbere can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months. However, for the best flavor, it is best to use it within 3 months.

Conclusion:

Berbere is a versatile and flavorful spice mix that can be used to add depth and complexity to a variety of dishes. It is a staple in Ethiopian cuisine, but it can also be used to add a unique flavor to dishes from other cultures. If you are looking for a new and exciting way to spice up your cooking, I highly recommend trying berbere.

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